Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

STEVENS POINT – Students from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point are lending a helping hand in efforts to restore McDill Pond to the way it was before being drawn down three years ago.

The students, part of the Ichthyology and Aquarium Science Society-Stevens Point, are counting fish in the pond this weekend. Nets were set in various spots Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday, students will pull fish from the nets to catalog their lengths and weights before releasing them back into the pond.

Stevens Point City Council member Mike Phillips said this will be the first official count for fish in McDill Pond since it was drawn down in June 2011 after the McDill Pond Dam under Highway HH began leaking. The pond remained drawn down until May 2013.

Since then, officials from the McDill Inland Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District and the state Department of Natural Resources have restocked the pond with crappie, bluegill, perch and largemouth bass. The results of the count will help biologists determine whether the fishery is returning to a healthy state.

Phillips, who represents the city's 10th District that includes homes on the west side of McDill Pond, said the society and district connected with each other for the project. Phillips said students went out in boats a few weeks ago to find ideal locations to place the nets and will set about five nets in the pond.

"I've been fishing this pond for a long time, and I want to see it continue to improve," Phillips said. "We're grateful for this help, and hopefully we'll have some good news."

Ben Sasse, a senior at UWSP majoring in fisheries and biology, was at the boat landing near the dam Friday preparing to head out in a boat to set the nets.

"I'm looking forward to this weekend. It's a good opportunity to get experience and also to help this pond," Sasse said.

UWSP biology professor Justin Sipiorski, adviser for the club, also was at the boat landing Friday to give instructions to students on setting the nets. Sipiorski said he did not necessarily expect to see a great increase in the number of fish in the pond.

"It's only been three years since the drawdown. I think once you get out to five years and the fish have had a few more breeding cycles, you'll start to see more fish and in varying sizes," Sipiorski said.

Nathan Vine can be reached at 715-345-2252. Find him on Twitter as @SPJNathanVine.